Keeping pace with the changing times, consumers across the world have been looking to the internet for their legal needs. Four million people go online per month to get legal advice. Numerous legal web sites have cropped up recently in the western world, many of which serve as virtual match-makers between lawyers searching for clients and clients in need of help. Unlike our western counterparts, there has been no authentic legal portal for the Indian public until now.

This void gave birth to AdvocateKhoj – India’s Dedicated Case Post System for Consumers (URL: http://www.advocatekhoj.com) to help people find a well-qualified lawyer for their legal issues. Consumers who are in need of legal assistance can present their case by answering some simple questions about their legal situation, “free of cost” on the AdvocateKhoj website without revealing his or her identity. Lawyers enrolled with AdvocateKhoj would review these cases and send their replies. The consumer can now view the responses from various advocates, check their background information, education and experience, and then make an informed decision on whom to engage for their case.

AdvocateKhoj uses automated online technologies that match specific needs of a consumer with a lawyer by matching geographically, and also based on a lawyer’s various salient attributes and legal expertise. The matching is fully automated and is based on client-entered criteria, so there is no preferential treatment of any particular lawyer.

The result: Prior to any money changing hands, and with minimal time spent, consumers can present their cases and in-turn get in touch with lawyers of their choice! According to Anoop Vincent, co-founder, AdvocateKhoj, “It’s obvious that consumers would embrace this new and unique service as all of us prefer to make empowered and informed decisions. The search for a well-qualified lawyer or a good client should be no different.”